WASHINGTON, D.C. September 18, 2025 – In a stunning development, ABC has indefinitely suspended Jimmy Kimmel Live! following a contentious monologue on September 16, 2025, where host Jimmy Kimmel falsely linked the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk to the MAGA movement. The decision comes amid mounting pressure from affiliates and federal regulators.
Charlie Kirk, a 31-year-old right-wing influencer and key figure in Donald Trump’s political sphere, was fatally shot on September 11, 2025, during a university event in Utah. The suspect, 20-year-old Tyler Robinson, identified with leftist ideologies, contradicting Kimmel’s on-air claims. Robinson faces charges of aggravated murder, felony discharge of a firearm, and witness tampering.
FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, appointed by President Trump, has warned of potential fines or license revocations for ABC, labeling Kimmel’s remarks as a “distortion of facts” that could jeopardize the network’s broadcast privileges. The threat gained traction as Nexstar Media Group, a major U.S. TV station owner, preempted Jimmy Kimmel Live! broadcasts across 32 stations, citing the comments as “offensive and insensitive.”
The suspension has ignited a fierce debate over free speech. FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez accused the Trump administration of leveraging government authority to silence dissent, while President Trump hailed the move as “great news for America” in a post on X today. “Congratulations to @ABC for finally having the courage to do what had to be done,” Trump wrote, adding a jab at rival late-night hosts.
Meanwhile, Erika Kirk, Charlie Kirk’s widow, delivered a tearful address vowing to uphold her husband’s legacy. “The campus tour will continue,” she declared, promising to amplify his message of patriotism and faith. The incident has further polarized an already tense political climate ahead of upcoming elections.